TransAlta Travels to Peru to Help Light Up The World

Nov 6, 2014

Calgary, AB (November 6, 2014) – In North America, we take electricity for granted. We flip a switch and forget about it. Many others in the world don’t have this luxury. That’s why TransAlta Corporation (TSX: TA; NYSE: TAC) is partnering with Light Up The World, a Canadian non-profit organization that helps provide communities in developing countries with sustainable energy.

This week, nine TransAlta employees will travel to a remote village in Peru to install solar panels for electricity.

“This is a new partnership with Light Up The World. It will allow our employees to see electricity at work first hand and, at the same time, help a community create a service that will change their lives,” says Dawn de Lima, TransAlta’s chief human resources and communications officer. “At TransAlta, we believe that committing to communities at home and abroad helps employees contribute to their development and live our values of social responsibility and sustainability.”

Installing renewable energy in remote areas creates a healthy and safe home environment, enhances opportunities for education and contributes to economic development.

Oliver Bussler of Calgary, Alta., applied to volunteer and was selected to go to Peru. “I’ve been working in the electricity business for the majority of my career; always in an office environment. I welcome this opportunity to install power generation equipment in remote communities where there is a true need,” says Bussler, director, sustainable development at TransAlta.

TransAlta volunteers will be trained by Light Up The World and Peruvian technicians on how to install the solar systems.

“I think Light Up The World will have a big impact on local communities by giving people options through greater access to cheap indoor lighting,” says Patrick McNally, a mechanical engineer, in Centralia, Wash. “Recipients will have more time to read, study or finish up their day’s work. I hope to gain perspective on the lives of people in the developing world. I’m excited to see the world from a perspective I wouldn’t otherwise have.”

TransAlta employees will install 30 systems during this nearly two-week trip and another set of volunteers will have the opportunity to finish up the project next year.

“TransAlta is excited about providing the opportunity for our people to be directly involved with installing sustainable energy sources,” says de Lima. “We saw this as a great chance for employees to use their own expertise and learn something new about creating electricity.”

Upon their return, the nine volunteers will share their experience from volunteering with their TransAlta peers and working and living in the Peruvian community.

About TransAlta:

TransAlta is a power generation and wholesale marketing company focused on creating long-term shareholder value. TransAlta maintains a low-to-moderate risk profile by operating a highly contracted portfolio of assets in Canada, the United States and Australia. TransAlta’s focus is to efficiently operate wind, hydro, natural gas and coal facilities in order to provide customers with a reliable, low-cost source of power. For over 100 years, TransAlta has been a responsible operator and a proud contributor to the communities in which it works and lives. TransAlta has been selected by Sustainalytics as one of Canada’s Top 50 Socially Responsible Companies since 2009 and is recognized globally for its leadership on sustainability and corporate responsibility standards by FTSE4Good.